What does it take to build one of the biggest South Asian fashion brands in the U.S.?

In this episode of I Hope This Helps, we sit down with Shashank Gupta — Owner of Nazranaa, men’s designer, and Executive Producer of Nazranaa Diaries. Shashank helps run one of the largest wholesalers and retailers of South Asian wedding and ethnic garments in the U.S.

From operating multiple stores in Edison, New Jersey, to dressing clients for extravagant multi-day South Asian weddings, Shashank shares the business behind luxury bridal fashion, the rise of fusion weddings, and how his television show helped turn his family brand into an authority in the industry.

We also discuss the real cost of South Asian weddings in the U.S., tariffs affecting fashion imports, content creation for brand growth, and what it’s like building a fourth-generation family business alongside his sister and wife.

If you're interested in entrepreneurship, fashion, culture, weddings, and building a business with family, this episode is packed with insight.

👍 Like
💬 Comment
🔔 Subscribe for more conversations

And if nothing else… we hope this helps.

Follow Shashank Gupta & Nazranaa

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/nazranaanj
https://www.instagram.com/shashank.k.gupta

Website
https://nazranaanj.com/

#SouthAsianWeddings #IndianFashion #Nazranaa #ShashankGupta #WeddingFashion #Entrepreneurship #FamilyBusiness #IndianCulture #FashionBusiness #IHopeThisHelps#IHopeThisHelps #ShashankGupta #Nazranaa #NazranaaDiaries #SouthAsianWeddings #IndianFashion #Entrepreneurship #FamilyBusiness #ContentCreation #WeddingIndustry #BrandBuilding #EdisonNJ #india #indian #indianculture

In Part 2 of I Hope This Helps, we’re back with Nita Bardolia (GM of 56 Degree Wine and founder of Glass Half Full) for the kind of wine advice you can actually use at dinner, in a wine shop, or before your next backyard hang.

We start with the big question: what’s better than Whispering Angel? Nita shares two Provence rosé picks she’d grab every time (and explains why one sells out fast). Then we pivot into Pinot Grigio—highlighting an Alto Adige bottle that beats the usual go-to brands—plus the story behind ramato-style wines and why orange wine is trending right now.

We also get real about why “expensive” doesn’t automatically mean “better,” how to read a wine list without guessing by price, underrated Merlot regions (yes, Washington State), the difference between low-intervention vs “natty” wine (and why some bottles taste like kombucha), and how alcohol percentage plays a big role in why certain wines hit harder the next day.

If you’ve ever ordered mid-tier just to play it safe, this episode will change how you look at a wine list.

Pour a glass, press play, and drop your go-to bottle in the comments.

Guest Info:

Nita Bardolia

💼 LinkedIn: /in/nitabardolia

56 Degree Wine

📍 16 Mine Brook Rd, Bernardsville, NJ

🌐 56degreewine.com

📞 908-953-900

📸 Instagram: @56wine

Wines Mentioned in episode:

Rose

https://glasshalffull.bardolia.com/drinking-pink-throughout-the-year-with-these-gems/

Pinot Grigio

https://www.56degreewine.com/websearch_results.html?kw=pinot+grigio

Merlot

While we don’t carry the straight Merlot from Andrew Will at the moment, we have this incredible blend from the same producer - featuring a good dose of Merlot. It’s delicious!

https://www.56degreewine.com/wines/Andrew-Will-Winery-Involuntary-Commitment-Red-Blend-2022-w8155681g1

#wine #winetasting #winelover #podcast #ihopethishelps #youtube #entrepreneur #spotify #wineglass #winenight #winepreservation #educational

If you’ve ever walked into a wine shop and pretended you knew what you were looking at… this episode is for you. 🍷 On I Hope This Helps, we sit down with Nita Bardolia — General Manager of 56 Degree Wine and founder of Glass Half Full — and her journey is proof that following curiosity can change your life. From Rutgers economics to advertising to becoming a private chef, she turned a passion for food and flavor into leading one of New Jersey’s most respected wine shops. We break down how wine pairings actually work, why Portuguese wines deserve more respect, the truth about small producers vs mass-produced labels, the RIGHT way to store wine (and why 56° matters), and yes… why putting ice in red wine hurts a little (but there’s a better move). This isn’t wine snob talk — it’s real, practical knowledge that makes you more confident the next time you order or shop.

Pour a glass, press play, and level up your wine game. 🍷🎧

For more information on

Nita, 56 Degree Wine, the bottles discussed, and the book recommended:

Guest Info: Nita BardoliaGM, 56 Degree WineWine Consultant / Founder, Glass Half Full

📧 Nita+ghf@bardolia.com

📸 Instagram: @my.glasshalffull

💼 LinkedIn: /in/nitabardolia

56 Degree Wine📍 16 Mine Brook Rd, Bernardsville, NJ

🌐 56degreewine.com

📞 908-953-900

📸 Instagram: @56wine

📖 Book Mentioned: Great Wine Made Simple by Andrea Immer Robinson

Portuguese reds - Quinta da Costa do

Pinhaohttps://glasshalffull.bardolia.com/a-visit-to-quinta-da-costa-do-pinhao-douro-valley-portugal/Portuguese white -

Quinta das Bageirashttps://glasshalffull.bardolia.com/a-love-note-from-portugal-2/

My Favorite Styles of Wine (this post includes Chenin Blanc, Nebbiolo, and some other styles of wine including Cabernet Sauvignon and the

2 suggestions I made for Robert Sinskey Vineyards POV instead of Caymus and Turning Tide Cab Sauv from Paso Robles as a great everyday Cab.)

https://glasshalffull.bardolia.com/these-are-a-few-of-my-favorite-things-in-the-glass/Transformative Wine Moment

(45 Year old Syrah from Hermitage, Northern Rhone)https://glasshalffull.bardolia.com/a-transformative-bottle-1980-hermitage-from-h-sorrel/

🎧 Watch or listen now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts — and tell us your go-to bottle.

#wine #winetasting #winelover #podcast #ihopethishelps #youtube #entrepreneur #spotify #wineglass #winenight #winepreservation #educational